Method for packaging tablets and apparatus therefor



Aug. 23, 1966 K. STERNBERG 3,267,636

METHOD FOR PACKAGING TABLETS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 (D a J u. 1

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O3 m w INVENTOR K'JAT frze/vami ATTORNEY Au 23, 1966 K. STERNBERG METHOD FOR PACKAGING TABLETS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. Kaer Swen/5K6 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,267,636 METHGD FOR PACKAGlNG TABLETS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Kurt Sternberg, Rosskamptfsgasse 6, Soest, Westphalia, Germany Filed Sept. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 397,127 Claims priority, application Germany, Sept. 19, 1963, St 21,091 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-35) The present invention relates to packaging machines in general and more particularly to a method and machine lfOl packaging pills or tablets into vials or tubes.

For simplicity the invention is hereafter described by referring only to tablets and tubes, although various other like articles and receptacles may be advantageously employed for practicing this invention.

In the packing industry it has long been the aim to provide automatic high production machinery for loading aligned stacks of tablets into the tube. The major difiiculties heretofore encountered have generally been breakage of the tablets during production with a resultant high percentage of rejects. Secondly, a frequent jamming of the tubes due to an improper positioning of one or more tablets during the loading step.

In the prior art it has been suggested to load the tablets while the tube and the tablets are co-axially positioned in a vertical or slanted plane and with the opening of the tube facing downward. The tablets are then loaded by [free fall. Batch type loading operations have also already been suggested. In either case the tablets are frequently misaligned in that they stand on edge in relation to the column axis. This necessitates shaking, or like operation, to straighten out the stack and invariably leads to damages.

When tablets are horizontally loaded they are usually collated in a column and placed on a support transversely to their common axis and then moved into the tube. This avoids the shortcomings of gravity loading but increases the relative number of misaligned tablets due to tilting of the tablets as they are advanced into the tube.

It is also known to load the tablets into a tube while the opening of the vertically arranged tube faces downward. Here again the columns or individual tablets tilt particularly at higher loading speeds. When rapidly inserted the tablets have a tendency to spin within the tube. :In one modified process, the tubes are moved past a number of loading stations each of which inserts a single tablet. Considerable difficulty arises however since each last inserted tablet has to be supported prior to the loading of the next tablet. This increases of course the chance of breakage.

In connection with the aforementioned process, it should be observed that in that position the loading and/or application of fillers and tube caps is very difficult if not impossible. Inserting a foam rubber or cotton cushion and applying caps against the weight of the tablets readily causes tilting of the last inserted tablet or jamming of the filler with damage resulting to the tablet or tube.

In order to overcome the difficulties inherent in the above methods, and to adapt the packaging to highs-peed machinery, intricate and expensive machinery has been suggested. Unfortunately, as most tablets are easily damaged by contact with hard objects, the complexity of the machines has necessitated increased handling with a resultant increase in breakage and rejects.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a method for packaging tablets and an apparatus therefor which will permit high speed and automatic loading production of tablets into a tube while avoiding the shortcomings of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for packaging tablets and an apparatus therefor for rapid loading against gravity and without supporting the last inserted tablet.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method [for packaging tablets and an apparatus theretfor for loading tablets into a tube against gravity permitting, nevertheless, insertion and/ or application of th cushion-ing and closing devices when the opening of the tube taces upwardly.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a method for automatically loading tablets in batches into tubes, and an apparatus therefor in which the tubes are loaded while the tablets move on a disc from an essentially upwardly to an essentially downwardly facing position.

An aspect of the present invention resides in the provision of a method for automatically loading a stack of tablets into a tube. This method is accomplished by placing the tube and a stack of co-axially aligned tablets on a support. The support is arranged substantially in a horizontal plane. Thereafter the support is rotated 180 degrees and the tablets are simultaneously loaded into the tube against gravity. The support is further rotated about another degrees before the now filled tubes are discharge in an upright position.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for packaging tablets. The apparatus is constructed of a wheel with an axis of rotation extending at an incline relative to the horizontal plane and the face of the wheel is angularly disposed normal to the axis. The wheel is provided with a plurality of radial- 1y arranged crosschannels, and means, for instance in the [form of a loading magazine, is adjacent to these channels for loading a column of tablets into the channels and a tube into each channel between the tablets and the outer radial extremity of the channels with the opening of the tube facing the tablets. The shaft supported wheel is driven by a motor of a conventional nature.

A further aspect of the present invention resides in the provision of a tablet packaging machine in which a rotatably disposed wheel, substantially in the form of a truncated cone, has an axis of rotation which is also inclined relative to the horizontal plane and the transverse axis of the cone is normal to the axis of rotation. An arrangement provides for placing the tablets, preferably stacked as a column, into cross-channels extending radially in or on the wheel. This arrangement also serves to place the tube, either in a separate operation or together with the tablets into the channel between the tablets and the radial outer extremity of the groove with the opening of the tube facing toward the tablets.

A second wheel for closing the opening of the tube is disposed in a horizontal plane proximate to the tablet loading wheel. The second wheel has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arranged for sequential juxtapositioning with the channels of the tablet loading wheel. A simple transfer device sequentially moves the filled tubes from the first wheel to the second wheel in an upright position where caps or tops are put on in the convention-a1 manner.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and their scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a generally diagrammatic top view of portions of a machine for packing tablets;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, partly fragmentary, of the machine shown in FIGURE 1, and a loading magazme;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing in generally diagrammatic form, a modification of the invention.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 2, there is shown a wheel 1 integrally connected with a shaft 2 for rotating the wheel about its own central axis. The shaft 2, and consequently the wheel, is mounted at an incline relative to the horizontal plane and is driven by motor means not shown. The wheel 1 is formed with radially extending and suitably sized channels 3 for receiving therein at the outer periphery thereof a tube 4, a stack of tablets 5 and a filler material or cushion 6 adjacently disposed which are to be loaded into the tube.

The tubes 4 are stored in a magazine 7 above or next to the wheel 1 and are caused to enter the outer radial extremity of the channel 3 as the wheel passes by. Radial movement of the tube is prevented by shoulders 3a and 3b. The stack of tablets 5 are supplied in the same manner, supported on edge, and flush with the tube in the channel 3 facing the opening of the tube. Alternatively, the tubes 4, tablets 5 and fillers 6 may be carried in a single magazine and simultaneously placed into the channel, see 13, FIGURE 3.

Proximate to but spaced from the face of the wheel 1 there is eccentrically disposed a cam 23 relative to the axis about which the Wheel rotates. The cam is stationary and provides means for controlling the movement of a push rod assembly 11 permanently carried in each channel (not all shown). One end of the push rod assembly 11 is allixed to a guide rail portion (not shown) of the cam 23 and the other end of the push rod assembly is adapted for engaging the tablets 5 and filler material and/ or cap 6.

In operation when the wheel 1 is rotated in the direction as noted at 16, a loading magazine '7 is brought proximate to the Wheel, by means not related to this invention. The transfer of the tube 4-, tablets 5 and the tiller 6 from the magazine '7 to a channel 3 takes place when the empty channels rotate from positions designated 8 to At this level the channel is in a fairly horizontal position. In order to prevent the tablets from tilting over in the direction of the tube, the magazine 7 is preferably arranged in such a manner that the stack of tablets 5 glides into the channel 3 at an inclination angle of about 10 degrees.

Thereafter, push rod 11 is engaged by the cam 23 to move radially outward against the filler 6 and tablets 5 and towards the openingof :tube 4. The particular channel has meanwhile moved from a substantially horizontal to a substantially vertical position at which time the loading process is started and completed before the particular channel is again in a substantially horizontal plane; The loading thus takes elfect while the opening of the tube 4 faces downwardly and the tablets must be moved thereinto against the force of gravity. However, once the channel has completed a travel of about 180 degrees from loading point 8, the opening of the tube starts facing upwardly and the tablets are now safely retained in the tube which is now conveniently removed. Alternatively, instead of the push rod and cam arrangement for biasing the tablets toward the tube, the tablets can also be advanced by centrifugal force. Preferably, the wheel 1 is then rotated with intermittent sudden thrusts.

Finally, a movable plate, now shown, may be inserted into each channel for lifting or taking the tubes 4 out of the channels 3 at station 21, an ejector 25 hereafter described works equally satisfactory.

FIGURE 3 shows a modification of the above described invention. Herein the wheel 3 is in the form of a truncated cone 12.

At times, the simultaneous loading of tablets, fillers and caps creates some difficulty. Today caps are so numerous, e.g., twist, plug, snap-on or plug types are available, and not all of them lend themselves to the aforedescribed loading operation. The same is to a lesser degree also true with respect to fillers. The below described auxiliary device works in conjunction with wheels 1 and lZto overcome this difiiculty.

Associated with the cone-like wheel 12 is a horizontally arranged take-up wheel 14 mounted about a shaft 15' for rotation about its axis. The wheel 14- is provided with axially extending channels 16 circumferentially spaced at equal distances. The wheel 14 is either of the same di ameter as wheel 12 or if of a smaller diameter is rotated at a rate correspondingly greater than that of wheel 12. In either case, the channels 3 of the cone-like wheel 12 and the channels 16 of wheel 14 are sequentially juxtaposed at 18 for transfer of the filled tube 17 from the former to the latter in an upright position. This is facilitated by the right angle relationship between the face of wheel 12 and the side of wheel 14-.

An ejector, for instance in the form of a hydraulically actuated piston 25, moves sequentially into and through a small opening provided in channel 3 and pushes the tube 17 into the receptacle 16. The Wheel 14- facilitates closing the openings of the tubes 17 with caps 20, or like articles, or for first filling the tubes with further cushioning means 19.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Method for automatically loading a stack of tablets into a tube, comprising the steps of: placing the tube and a stack of co-axially aligned tablets on a support arranged in a substantially horizontal plane; rotating the support 180 degrees and simultaneously loading the tablets into the tube against gravity by means of centrifugal forces acting upon the tablets; rotating the support about another degrees in the same direction; and discharging the filled tube.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the loading step is combined with sudden, intermittent, rotating thrusts.

3. Apparatus for packaging tablets comprising, in combination: a rotatably disposed wheel having an axis of rotation extending at an incline relative to the horizontal plane and the transverse axis of the wheel being located angularly normal relative to said axis, said wheel having a plurality of radially extending chnnels; means for placing tablets into said channels and a tube between said tablets and the outer radial extremity of said channel with an opening of said tube facing toward said tablets; and means for rotating said wheel and moving said tablets into said tube while said wheel rotates.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, and a push rod disposed between said axis and said tablets; and means for sequentially moving said push rod radially outward while said wheel rotates degrees and for retracting said push rod in the remaining 180 degrees.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said last mentioned means is a cam mounted eccentrically relative to said axis.

6. Apparatus for packaging tablets comprising, in combination: a rotatably disposed wheel having an axis of rotation extending at an incline relative to the horizontal plane and the transveres axis of said wheel being angularly normal relative to said axis, said wheel being provided with a plurality of radially extending channels; retainer means for placing into said channels a stack of tablets having a common axis and a tube, the common axis having an angle of incline of about 10 degrees when said stack first touches the channel of said wheel; and means for rotating said wheel.

7. Apparatus for packaging tablets comprising, in combination: a rotatably disposed first wheel having an axis of rotation extending at an incline relative to the horizontal plane and the transverse axis being in a plane slightly less than the vertical, said wheel being provided with a plurality of radially extending channels; means for sequentially placing tablets into said channels, and for placing a tube into said channels between said tablets and the outer radial extremity of said channels, an opening of said tube facing toward said tablets; and a second rotatably disposed wheel for closing said opening of said tube disposed in a horizontal plane proximate to the first recited Wheel, the second wheel having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels adapted and arranged for sequential juxtapositioning with the channels of the first wheel; means for transferring the filled tubes from the first to the second wheel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first wheel is in the form of a truncated cone.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tubes are transferred from said first wheel and received by said second wheel in an upright position.

10. Method for automatically loading a stack of tablets into a tube, comprising the steps of: providing a rotatable support having a plurality of radially extending channels and arranging the support at a skew angle; placing the tube and stack of tablets upon one channel while said channel is in a substantially horizontal plane; rotating the support 180 degrees to move said channel from said horizontal to a vertical plane and again to a horizontal plane while simultaneously loading the tablets into the tube against gravity; thereafter rotating the support another 90 degrees in the same direction for discharging the filled tube while said channel is again in a substantially vertical position; and discharging said filled tube.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein said tablets are placed on said channel closer to the central axis of said support than said tube, and said tube is provided with an end opening placed in juxtaposition with the stack of tablets, and wherein the tubes are discharged at least with the help of gravity.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,092,763 9/1937 Le Frank 53-23 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

R' L. FARRIS, Assistant Examiner. 

10. METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOADING A STACK OF TABLETS INTO A TUBE, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PROVIDING A ROTATABLE SUPPORT HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING CHANNELS AND ARRANGING THE SUPPORT AT A SKEW ANGLE; PLACING THE TUBE AND STACK OF TABLETS UPON ONE CHANNEL WHILE SAID CHANNEL IS IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE; ROTATING THE SUPPORT 180 DEGREES TO MOVE SAID CHANNEL FROM SAID HORIZONTAL TO A VERTICAL PLANE AND AGAIN TO A HORIZONTAL PLANE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LOADING THE TABLETS INTO THE TUBE AGAINST GRAVITY; THEREAFTER ROTATING THE SUPPORT ANOTHER 90 DEGREES IN THE SAME DIRECTION FOR DISCHARGING THE FILLED TUBE WHILE SAID CHANNEL IS AGAIN IN THE SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL POSITION; AND DISCHARGING SAID FILLED TUBE. 